bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cost‐effectiveness analysis of modafinil therapy for psychostimulant dependence
Authors: SHEARER JAMES , SHANAHAN MARIAN , DARKE SHANE , RODGERS CRAIG , VAN BEEK INGRID , MCKETIN REBECCA , MATTICK RICHARD P.
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims.To examine the cost‐effectiveness of modafinil (200 mg daily) plus counselling compared with placebo for the treatment of psychostimulant dependence.Design and Methods.Cost and outcome data were collected alongside two randomised controlled trials of modafinil 200 mg daily over 10 weeks for methamphetamine (n = 74) and cocaine dependence (n = 8), respectively. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios representing the additional costs to achieve a given outcome were calculated for both the change in the number of stimulant‐free days and quality‐adjusted life years 12 weeks post‐treatment.Results.The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio indicated that it would cost an additional $AUD79 to achieve an extra stimulant‐free day with modafinil compared with placebo. This result was not statistically significant, but appeared to be a robust estimate after sensitivity analysis. Counselling, whether received within program or from other services, improved the cost‐effectiveness of modafinil relative to placebo.Discussion and Conclusions.Strategies to improve the uptake of counselling are recommended as cost‐effective.[Shearer J, Shanahan M, Darke S, Rodgers C, van Beek I, McKetin R, Mattick RP. A cost‐effectiveness analysis of modafinil therapy for psychostimulant dependence.Drug Alcohol Rev2010]
Does cannabis use increase the risk of death? Systematic review of epidemiological evidence on adverse effects of cannabis use
Authors: CALABRIA BIANCA , DEGENHARDT LOUISA , HALL WAYNE , LYNSKEY MICHAEL
Published: August 2010

Issues. To conduct a comprehensive search of the peer‐reviewed literature to assess risk of cannabis‐related mortality. Approach. Systematic peer‐reviewed literature searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO to identify data on mortality associated with cannabis use. Search strings for cannabis and mortality were used. Searches were limited to human subjects and the publication timeframe of January 1990 to January 2008. Reference lists of review articles and of specific studies deemed important by colleagues were searched to identify additional studies. A list of the selected articles was emailed to experts in the field asking for comment on completeness. Key Findings. There is insufficient evidence, particularly because of the low number of studies, to assess whether the all‐cause mortality rate is elevated among cannabis users in the general population. Case–control studies suggest that some adverse health outcomes may be elevated among heavy cannabis users, namely, fatal motor vehicle accidents, and possibly respiratory and brain cancers. The evidence is as yet unclear as to whether regular cannabis use increases the risk of suicide. Conclusions. There is a need for long‐term cohort studies that follow cannabis using individuals into old age, when the likelihood of any detrimental effects of cannabis use are more likely to emerge among those who persist in using cannabis into middle age and older. Case–control studies of cannabis use and various causes of mortality are also needed.[Calabria B, Degenhardt L, Hall W, Lynskey M. Does cannabis use increase the risk of death? Systematic review of epidemiological evidence on adverse effects of cannabis use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Contextualising psychological distress among regular ecstasy users: The importance of sociodemographic factors and patterns of drug use
Authors: GEORGE JESSICA , KINNER STUART A. , BRUNO RAIMONDO , DEGENHARDT LOUISA , DUNN MATTHEW
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. Considerable concern has been raised about associations between ecstasy use and mental health. Studies of ecstasy users typically investigate varying levels of lifetime use of ecstasy, and often fail to account for other drug use and sociodemographic characteristics of participants, which may explain mixed findings. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between patterns of recent (last six months) ecstasy use and psychological distress among current, regular ecstasy users, controlling for sociodemographic risk factors and patterns of other drug use. Design and Methods. Data were collected from regular ecstasy users (n = 752) recruited from each capital city in Australia as part of the Ecstasy and related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Results. Seven per cent of the sample scored in the ‘high’ distress category and 55% in the ‘medium’ distress category. Patterns of ecstasy use were not independently associated with psychological distress. The strongest predictors of distress were female sex, lower education, unemployment, ‘binge’ drug use including ecstasy (use for >48 h without sleep), frequent cannabis use and daily tobacco use. Discussion and Conclusions. Regular ecstasy users have elevated levels of psychological distress compared with the general population; however, ecstasy use per se was not independently related to such distress. Other factors, including sociodemographic characteristics and other drug use patterns, appear to be more important. These findings highlight the importance of targeting patterns of polydrug use in order to reduce drug‐related harm among regular ecstasy users.[George J, Kinner SA, Bruno R, Degenhardt L, Dunn M. Contextualising psychological distress among regular ecstasy users: The importance of sociodemographic factors and patterns of drug use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
The experience of drug‐dependent adolescents in a therapeutic community
Authors: FOSTER MICHAEL , NATHAN SALLY , FERRY MARK
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. Drug treatment programs for adolescents are now more widespread with some evidence of success. However, there has been little in‐depth exploration of factors that may encourage or hinder program completion. This ethnographic study of an adolescent therapeutic community aimed to provide insights into the experience of the adolescent residents. Design and Methods. Four months of participant observation at a program for drug‐dependent adolescents in a metropolitan city in Australia. Twenty‐one residents (15 boys and six girls) aged between 14 and 18 years participated, comprising all residents admitted during the study period. Results. Vocational Education and Art Therapy are activities that universally engaged residents whereas frustration was evident in Journaling—a core program activity. Group sessions were often used to set up or dismantle social cliques, although they were also useful to expose difficult inter‐personal relationships. The risk of residents ‘taking off’ was heightened during breaks from program activities when strong emotions surfaced. Discussion and Conclusions. There needs to be a more central role for creative and vocational activities in adolescent programs and a variety of ways for them to document their journey. Group encounters need to be skilfully facilitated by staff to handle fluid inter‐personal dynamics and residents need support outside of formal program time to minimise drop‐out. The concept of a navigation‐engagement continuum is discussed and the need to see treatment as a series of encounters that may be ‘successful’ despite ‘non‐completion’. This study gives adolescents a voice in program evaluation which may help improve retention.[Foster M, Nathan S, Ferry M. The experience of drug‐dependent adolescents in a therapeutic community. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010;29;531–539]
Mental health improvements of substance‐dependent clients after 4 months in a Therapeutic Community
Authors: POLIMENI ANNE‐MAREE , MOORE SUSAN M. , GRUENERT STEFAN
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. Odyssey House Victoria's Therapeutic Community (TC) accepts substance‐dependent clients, including those with co‐occurring mental health issues. American data suggest that TCs are effective in rehabilitating such clients; however, Australian research is limited. The aim of the study was to examine Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 (MMPI‐2) profiles of Odyssey House TC residents early in their residency and again after 4 months, to chart changes in MMPI‐2 profiles and compare them with norms for psychological health. Design and Methods. The sample comprised 351 clients who were part of the residential program between 1997 and 2007, and who remained in treatment at the TC for at least 4 months. They were administered the MMPI‐2 after 5 weeks in treatment and again after 4 months. Results. At the first assessment, the validity scales of the MMPI‐2 plus the clinical scales Depression, Psychopathic Deviate, Paranoia, Psychasthenia and Schizophrenia were in the clinical range. At the second assessment, mean scores on all clinical scales except Mania were significantly or near significantly lower and, except for Psychopathic Deviate, within the normal range. The validity scales also demonstrated improvement, although two of the three remained in the clinical range. Discussion and Conclusions. Results indicated that treatment within the TC over this time span was associated with improved mental health. The present study suggests that residential rehabilitation's holistic approach provides a suitable treatment model for clients with co‐occurring mental health and substance use disorders.[Polimeni A‐M, Moore SM, Gruenert S. Mental health improvements of substance‐dependent clients after 4 months in a Therapeutic Community. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
CEO compensation structure and firm performance
Authors: Matolcsy Zoltan , Wright Anna
Published: August 2010

The objectives of our study are to estimate a model of ‘efficient’ compensation structure based on firm characteristics and test the performance consequences of deviation from the efficient compensation structure. Our results are based on 3503 firm years for the period from 1999 to 2005. The results suggest that firms whose CEOs receive compensation inconsistent with their firm characteristics have a lower performance compared to those firms whose CEOs’ compensation is consistent with their firms’ characteristics. Our measure of performance is based on both accounting and market‐based performance measures. Overall, our study provides some important new insights into the links between CEO compensation structure and firm performance.
Does a goodwill impairment regime better reflect the underlying economic attributes of goodwill?
Authors: Chalmers Keryn G. , Godfrey Jayne M. , Webster John C.
Published: August 2010

IFRS adoption transformed the accounting treatment for goodwill in many countries. Instead of amortizing goodwill, firms now test for its impairment and write off impairment losses against income. Accounting standard‐setting bodies claim that an impairment regime better reflects the underlying economic value of goodwill than systematic amortization. We investigate this claim by comparing the association between goodwill accounting charges against income and firms’ economic investment opportunities in amortization and impairment regimes. We find that the association between firms’ goodwill charges against income and the firms’ investment opportunities is stronger during the IFRS regime than the AGAAP regime. This indicates that, as claimed, impairment charges better reflect the underlying economic attributes of goodwill than do amortization charges.
Index arbitrage and the pricing relationship between Australian stock index futures and their underlying shares
Authors: Cummings James Richard , Frino Alex
Published: August 2010

This paper examines the mispricing of Australian stock index futures. Exogenous and endogenous price volatility is confirmed to have a positive impact on the mispricing spread, after filtering out predictable time series components. More accurate pricing associated with surprise trading volume in the underlying stocks is consistent with arbitrageurs acting to narrow price disparities relative to the futures market. Ex‐ante interest rate volatility is the primary source of risk faced by arbitrageurs and fluctuations in the transaction cost of opening index arbitrage positions influence the extent to which they drive prices towards theoretical fair values.
Information technology and emergency management: preparedness and planning in US states
Authors: Reddick Christopher
Published: August 2010

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of information technology (IT) on emergency preparedness and planning by analysing a survey of US state government departments of emergency management. The research results show that there has been a significant impact of IT on emergency planning. IT has proven to be effective for all phases of emergency management, but especially for the response phase. There are numerous technologies used in emergency management, ranging from the internet, Geographic Information Systems and wireless technologies to more advanced hazard analysis models. All were generally viewed as being effective. Lack of financial resources and support from elected officials is a perennial problem in public administration, and was found to be prevalent in this study of IT and emergency management. There was evidence that state governments rating high on a performance index were more likely to use IT for emergency management.
INCENTIVE COMPATIBLE MECHANISM DESIGN AND FIRM GROWTH: EXPERIENCES FROM TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR REGULATION
Authors: Majumdar Sumit K.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT**:  This article evaluates the impact of the introduction of incentive regulation on firm growth among the population of local exchange carriers in the US telecommunications industry between 1988 and 2001. The results show that the rate of return method and other intermediate incentive schemes have had a negative impact on firm growth. Conversely, the introduction of pure price caps schemes had a positive and significant impact on firms’ growth. These results highlight the importance of proper and appropriate incentive compatible mechanism design in motivating firms to strive for superior performance.
Fear and loathing in Kansas City: Political harassment and the making of moderates in America's abortion wars (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Smith Alexander Thomas T.
Published: August 2010

The pro‐life movement regularly employs tactics of political harassment in its campaign against abortion. As the murder of the controversial abortion doctor George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas, demonstrated last year, such tactics often betray a potential for violence. This paper explores how the militant tactics of the pro‐life movement in the 1990s have contributed to the formation of a ‘new’ political identity in Kansas politics: that of the moderate Republican. But for those that seek to counter‐mobilize against the Christian right, the political stakes remain high.
Why best cannot last: Cultural differences in predicting regression toward the mean
Authors: Spina Roy R. , Ji Li‐Jun , Ross Michael , Li Ye , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: August 2010

Four studies were conducted to investigate cultural differences in predicting and understanding regression toward the mean. We demonstrated, with tasks in such domains as athletic competition, health and weather, that Chinese are more likely than Canadians to make predictions that are consistent with regression toward the mean. In addition, Chinese are more likely than Canadians to choose a regression‐consistent explanation to account for regression toward the mean. The findings are consistent with cultural differences in lay theories about how people, objects and events develop over time.
Social representations of democratic transition: Was the Philippine People Power a non‐violent power shift or a military coup?
Authors: Montiel Cristina Jayme
Published: August 2010

This research looked at social representations of the 1986 People Power in the Philippines among Filipino civilians and the military. Using mixed qualitative–quantitative methods, the research collected military narratives, ran a survey of civilians and military personnel and reviewed newspaper accounts of People Power anniversary celebrations over 20 years. Civilians saw People Power as a strong and positive power shift, while the military viewed it as an aborted coup led by military officers that was weak and bad. The findings about the social representations of transition are linked to civilian–military social identities after 1986 and illuminate the subjective landscape of State power contests in a new democracy.
Microcomputer‐Aided Design and Drafting of Moment‐Resisting Connections in Steel Buildings
Authors: ADELI HOJJAT , FIEDOREK JAMES
Published: August 2010

A microcomputer‐aided system has been developed for interactive design and drafting of connections in steel buildings made of standard. rolled‐I sections, called STEELCON. The basis of design is AISC specification. In addition to interactive design, STEELCON can displaylplot any isometric view of the connection plus three orthographic views, i.e., front, side, and top face views. The orthographic views show all the necessary details for fabrication and construction of the connections. Interactive design and drafting of two different moment resisting connections are presented. They are the shop welded and field bolted framed flange plate connection and the shop and field welded flange plate connection.
Engineering Tools for Building Knowledge‐Based Systems on Microsystems
Authors: WIGAN M. R.
Published: August 2010

Knowledge‐based systems tools are increasingly available on microcomputer systems. The range and characteristics of some of these tools are briefly reviewed including PROLOG and LISP systems and Expert System Shells for both text‐and rule‐based approaches. While the tools available up to about 1984 were reasonably adequate for self and academic teaching purposes and for prototyping systems, production quality and capability tools have subsequently become widely available. Different paradigms for problem reduction and analysis are covered, followed by the matching of problem type, approach, and tool to both the learning phase and the production process. There is a bias towards the construction, design, and transport engineering areas of civil engineering.
Standard Shape Function Method for Finite Element Formulation
Authors: LEUNG A.Y.T.
Published: August 2010

A simple method to generate element matrices for various sets of shape functions is presented. A standard set of shape functions is first chosen to establish standard element matrices and the actual shape functions are related to the standard ones through function evaluations. Then, the actual element matrices are obtained by transforming the standard element matrices. The computation requires simple matrix multiplications and shape function evaluation only. The method is very suitable for microcomputers that it drastically reduces the core requirement and very large element library can be included without difficulty. The element matrices are also formulated readily in a way to explore the advantage of parallel computation.
A Graphics Preprocessor for Computer‐Aided Design and Drafting of frame Structures
Authors: ADELI H. , HAWKINS D.
Published: August 2010

An interactive microcomputer‐based graphics preprocessor has been developed for computer‐aided design and drafting of plane frame structures. The graphics preprocessor has been developed in Advanced BASIC version 3.0 on an IBM Personal Computer. The preprocessor allows various manipulations of the frame structure such as zooming, panning, shrinking, expanding, node labeling, and element labeling. The flow between the graphics display and the data input is very easy and allows the user to enter new frame data, visually check it, and edit the data quickly.
Use of Tree and Graph Structures to Diagram the Logic of Large, Complex Programs
Authors: MILLER MICHAEL J.
Published: August 2010

CADD software and other large, highly interactive, complex programs must keep track of many complex relationships and perform the correct operations with both speed and precision based on these relationships, which are often seemingly in conflict. Computers can evaluate only one relationship at a time and the relationships must be evaluated in a specified order that can vary greatly depending on the outcome of each test. Consequently, writing and debugging a program that will perform correctly under a wide variety of inputs can be a frustrating process that at times can seem to produce two “bugs” for each one that is corrected. Tree structures can be employed to maintain a dynamic diagram of the program structure as it is being created. Graph structures, which are closely associated with tree structures, can be employed to simplify the task of developing and implementing the correct program logic and to identify many of the design logic errors at an early stage.

This article describes the use of tree and graph structures to diagram program structure and logic for an educational CADD package that was written by the author.
Approximate Analysis of a Floor Assembly in a Multistory Building Frame
Authors: WANG CHU‐KIA , TALABOC CARLITO P.
Published: August 2010

A computer algorithm, along with a workable program in the BASIC language, is presented by which each floor beam in a multistory building frame, together with the attached columns, may be analyzed as a subassembly. The objective is to obtain results close to those which would otherwise be obtained by a whole frame analysis. With the subassembly analysis method, more trials may be made in the preliminary design stage, although whole frame analysis still needs to be employed when deemed appropriate.

The subassembly method may be in first order, or in second order including both column instability and Pdelta effects, allowing the same options as in whole frame analysis. The far ends of the upper columns are assumed to be connected to plates fixed against rotation but free to have sidesway. The connections themselves, however, may be semirigid, rigid, or overrigid, quantitively described by a set of rotation coefficients that may be preset or automatically generated. The far ends of the lower columns are similarly connected, defined by another set of rotation coefficients; but the plates are restrained in both rotation and sidesway. The floor beams have unknown slopes at the columns, as well as an unknown sidesway.

Rotation coefficients for various patterns of gravity loads are suggested in the article, and they are automatically generated for combined gravity and lateral loads. They may be taken, too, from any trial or similar whole frame analysis.
A Data Preprocessor for Structural Analysis and Design Programs
Authors: GEBREMEDHIN K. G. , BARTLETT J. V.
Published: August 2010

An interactive program for computer‐aided data management for structural analysis and design programs has been developed. The program provides the ability to create, store, retrieve, and update data files and display the configuration for 2‐D and 3‐D skeletal structures. The unique features of the program include: (1) interactive data entry scheme, (2) full‐screen data management ability with full cursor control, (3) highlighted single key stroke commands, (4) continuous display of editor commands, (5) well designed screen layout for data entry and management, (6) extensive on‐line prompts, (7) extensive checking of invalid input type, (8) fast scrolling through each screen of data, and (9) ability to display the structure configuration.

The program written in turbopascal, may be used with any microcomputer which uses PC‐DOS and requires 96 Kb user memory. An ISM‐PC color graphics (or equivalent) or monochrome systems may be used.
A Distribution Factor Method with Cubic Interpolationg Correction for Analysis of Building Frames
Authors: LEUNG A. Y. T. , WONG S. C.
Published: August 2010

A more accurate approximating method for the analysis of building frames than the original distribution factor method described in Reference [7] is presented. The relative magnitudes of the joint displacements (w, α, β) on a particular floor are rather insensitive to the lateral load and are dependent largely on the local stiffness of the beams and columns of the floor of interest. These relative magnitudes are called distribution factors. The distribution factors corresponding to unit u, v, and θ displacements, respectively, can be determined floor by floor. The absolute magnitudes are then obtained by linear combination of the distribution factors. The coefficients of the linear combination are called the mixing factors. There are nine mixing factors per floor, three for each displacement (w, α, β) corresponding to unit u, v, and θ, respectively. The mixing factors are found after the lateral loads are imposed. This paper makes corrections on the displacements for very tall buildings where uneven elongations of columns along the height are important. A new distribution pattern in terms of cubic polynomials with an additional ten unknowns per floor is added to the original sets of distribution factors. The total number of unknowns per floor for a three‐dimensional building is 22 (9 mixing factors + 10 coefficients of the cubic polynomial + 3 horizontal displacements u, v, θ) irrespective of the complexity. Less than 5% errors in the computed nodal displacements are achieved. The method is particularly suitable for microcomputers.
Dynamic Analysis of Low‐Rise Buildings on Microcomputers
Authors: GOODNO BARRY J. , STREIT MARK C.
Published: August 2010

An analytical model for dynamic response analysis of low‐rise steel frame buildings on microcomputers is described. The model consists of an assemblage of planar frames with either braced or moment resisting connections. All but the frame lateral degrees of freedom are removed using static condensation prior to assemblage of the overall model. Floor diaphragms are modeled as either flexible or completely rigid in their own planes. Linear elastic behavior is assumed in the model and time‐history dynamic analysis is performed using the mode‐acceleration method. A FORTRAN computer program was written to implement the model on a microcomputer and a sample analysis of an actual building is presented to illustrate its use. The program was envisioned as a simplified analysis and design tool which could aid a designer in investigating a proposed structure or in rehabilitating an existing one for lateral forces.
Bifurcation Analysis of Multistory Building Frames by Marching Technique
Authors: WANG CHU‐KIA
Published: August 2010

A computer program is presented to show the algorithm that is used to give the buckling load factor and the effective lengths of all columns in a multistory building frame when these columns are subjected to a set of primary axial forces. Since the buckling load factor is the lowest multiplier of the primary axial forces that makes the determinant of the global stiffness matrix equal to zero, it has to be found by trial and error. It is found that the determinant of the global stiffness matrix is the product of the pivots used in the piecewise small inversions within the earlier one on bifurcation analysis lies in the way by which the determinant is computed. Significant amount of computer time is saved because of the need of repetitive computations of the determinant at many trial values of the buckling load factor.
A General Model for Providing Active Computer Support to Design, Planning, and Management
Authors: MANHEIM MARVIN L.
Published: August 2010

Our objective is to design computer systems which provide active computer support to users. “Active support” occurs when the computer works independently to assist the user, without explicit direction from the user. Such support would be very valuable to engineers. designers, planners, managers, and other professionals who work on complex problems.

We argue that, for a computer system to provide active support, the system must build and maintain a model of the user's model of the problem. Such a model must be based on a valid descriptive theory of human problem‐working processes. We describe such a theory and show how it can be used in designing a computer system to provide active support.
Real‐Time Vehicle Systems Monitoring
Authors: HAMILTON G. B. , KIRHENBLATT M.
Published: August 2010

The use of computer‐based systems to monitor and display vehicle location is currently an area of strong interest, and a number of organizations have developed such systems. Real‐time vehicle systems monitoring, which can fit hand‐inglove with location monitoring, is less well developed. Our requirement for vehicle data acquisition systems (DAS) was to monitor and store data on driving cycle, temperatures, pressures, engine stoichiometry, etc. In the course of working with fleets, it became clear that if vehicle systems data could be transmitted to a base station in real time, could be interpreted by base station software to provide a diagnostic capability, and could be combined with a map location display capability, then it would be of interest to a large number of fleets. The system, which has recently been developed, consists of enboard vehicle microprocessor monitoring, data reduction and transmission components, a VHF or satellite communications link, a base station signal modem, and an AT‐type microcomputer for data analysis and display. This paper traces the evolution of the microcomputer‐based systems monitoring of vehicles and provides some insight into the capabilities of such systems.
Expert System Tools for Construction Planning and Control
Authors: MOSELHI O. , NICHOLAS M. J.
Published: August 2010

The potential utilization of expert systems in construction management has drawn considerable attention in recent years. Many prototype systems were developed and have been described in previous studies. None of these studies, however, has addressed the basis for the selection of an expert system building tool (ESBT), the most important component in developing such systems. This paper presents a set of criteria for such selection. The criteria is then applied to investigate nine commercially available ESBTs, including four microcomputer‐based tools, for building a knowledge‐based expert system for construction planning and control. The criteria, although developed for specific application, could be readily extend to cover other problem domians.
Teacher‐Friendly Transportation Program
Authors: HAMERSLAG RUDI
Published: August 2010

A series of programs has been developed especially for educational purposes and to support the lectures on urban and interurban modelling. These programs are collectively called “Teacher‐Friendly Transportation Program/Student Proof Version” or TFTP/SPV.

The programs consist of four levels. The first level illustrates the working of the calculation methods used in detail. The second level gives the interconnection between the different parts of the transportation forecasting model. The third level demonstrates the estimation of base year origindestination matrices, estimation of deterrence functions, and the nonlinear weighted Poisson estimation method for multidimensional matrices. The programs are used in lectures, but can also be used as prototypes in feasibility studies of new research developments (Level IV). The programs can be used on microcomputers working under MSDOS.
Extending Prolog to Provide Better Support for Design Code Expert Systems
Authors: THOMSON JOHN , BIRD STEVEN , THOMSON DOUGLAS , MARKSJÖ BERTIL , SHARPE RON
Published: August 2010

The CSIR03 Division of Building Research (DBR) has built a number of text‐based and graphics‐based design code expert systems in PROLOG. Each of these systems involves several thousand lines of PROLOG and stretches to the limit and the capacity of the IBM ATs on which they run. We have found PROLOG to be a very powerful language for expressing the complex rules and relationships found in building design codes and related applications. Nevertheless, it has a number of weaknesses, particularly in expressing procedural knowledge and arithmetic relationships, and in implementing complex tables and user interfaces. We have designed and implemented extensions to PROLOG to overcome these difficulties. These include new built‐in functions to perform functions that are difficult to code in PROLOG, an easy way to add further built‐in functions, a meta‐interpreter to keep track of intermediate results, sets of routines to support user input and explanation, and a definite clause grammar to implement a more syntactically pleasant language for writing rules. These extensions are being used to develop a larger and much more complete version of the WINDLOADER expert system, and have greatly facilitated this task.
Developing Engineering Design Software Using Hypercard
Authors: BHATTI M. ASGHAR
Published: August 2010

The Hypercard software, recently introduced for the Apple Macintosh computers, has attracted a lot of attention. The literature portrays it as a sophisticated information management system. Most applications written using this software are business oriented. This paper examines its potential as a tool for developing sophisticated engineering design applications. Basic concepts of Hypercard and its associated programming language, called HYPERTALK, are presented. Details are given for the development of a stack for design of axially loaded steel columns. Based on this experience, it is concluded that Hypercard offers an ideal environment for developing highly interactive design modules requiring relatively less “number crunching.” The overall development time is reduced dramatically.
A Cellular Analogy for the Saint‐Venant Torsion Analysis of Solid and Hollow Sections
Authors: JOHNSON DAVID
Published: August 2010

A cellular analogy is developed for the elastic Saint‐Venant torsion problem which permits the shear flow theory commonly applied to multicelled, thin‐walled sections to be used for the analysis of both solid and thick‐walled hollow sections. Analysis examples for both types of section are provided to illustrate the simplicity of the technique which results in the direct determination of the cell shear flows and, hence, of the shear stress components. The analogy is restricted to rectilinearly bounded sections, but, from an educational standpoint, offers the possibility of an integrated treatment of the torsional behaviour of thin‐walled and solid sections. In addition, the simplicity of the method enables it to be readily programmed, it being especially suitable for implementation on microcomputers.
Parallel Mixed‐Time Integration Methods for Unsteady Heat Conduction
Authors: SMOLINSKI P.
Published: August 2010

A family of mixed‐time integration methods applicable to first‐order systems of equations which are amenable to parallel computations are presented. The method is based on nodal partitioning and can allow different values of α in the α‐algorithm to be used in different subdomains of the mesh. Parallelism is introduced by allowing each subdomain to be updated independently over a time step. A stability analysis is given for the case of implicit—explicit and implicit—implicit integration. Several numerical examples are given to demonstrate numerically the accuracy and stability of the method.
Bending of Rectangular Plates with Variable Rigidities
Authors: HARIK ISSAM E. , SFEIR DORIAN R.
Published: August 2010

A microcomputer‐oriented semianalytical method of solution is presented for rectangular plates with variable rigidity or thickness. The solution procedure is based on the classical method of separation of variables. The two‐dimensional governing partial differential equation is first reduced to and ordinary difference equation. The classical unidirectional finite‐difference method is then employed to solve the resulting ordinary differential equation. Results are presented for plates with different edge and loading conditions. Results for partially loaded plates with variable rigidity or thickness are presented in the literature for the first time.
Interactive Data Editor A Microcomputer User Interface For Batch Programs
Authors: RAJEEV S. , VAIDEESWARAN S. , KRISHNAMOORTHY C. S.
Published: August 2010

Many engineering programs developed on mmainframes and minicomputers, when implemented on micros, require the programer to do a great amount of work in modifying the program to suit the microcomputer environment by adding interactive sense to the program. General‐purpose user interfaces will bring down the burden of the programer in making the programs interactive. This paper presents one such user interface—interactive data editor—which provides a software environment for the program developer and the user for preparing input to a program in an interactive mode with descriptive textual message for every data item.
A Microcomputer Interactive Graphics Software for Design of Steel Trusses
Authors: ROUFAIEL MAGDY S. L. , MONASA FRANK F.
Published: August 2010

Current advances in microcomputer technology provide the tools to use interactive graphics in the development of efficient computer programs. The use of computer graphics facilitates the definition of complicated engineering models, and permits a clear display of the results. In this paper, an educational microcomputer software package, TRUSS‐AD, is described to demonstrate the effectiveness of applying interactive computer graphics in solving structural engineering design problems. TRUSS‐AD allows the user to: (1) define a truss geometry and loading conditions graphically; (2) analyze and design the truss in an interactive mode; and (3) display all results in a concise and clear graphical representation. The stiffness method is used in the analysis process. The design can be performed by using either the “Load and Resistance Factor Design” or the “Allowable Stress Design” methods. The software is written using thebasiclanguage for IBM or compatible personal computers.
Computation of Eigenvectors on Concurrent Processors
Authors: CHANG H. Y. , UTKU S.
Published: August 2010

Suppose a real symmetric general matrix A is reduced into a real symmetric tridiagonal matrix C by either Householder's method or Givens method. Eigenvalues of the tridiagonal matrix are the eigenvalues of the original matrix since they are similar. After eigenvalues are calculated, the eigenvectors of the original matrix may be obtained by the eigenvectors of the tridiagonal matrix and the transformation matrices used in either Householder's or Givens tridiagonalization methods [1]. In these methods, however, transformation matrices usually are not stored due to memory considerations. Only critical information such as rotation angles in Givens method is saved. Generally, the recovery of all transformation matrices involves more computation than the tridiagonalization procedure. Therefore such a scheme is rarely used. In this paper, a serial eigenvector solution procedure, assuming eigenvalues are known, is first described. This procedure applies Gauss elimination with diagonal pivoting on the characteristic equations. A parallel procedure is then developed by using scattered column decomposition. The efficiency and speedup are given in terms of problem and machine parameters. The efficiency of the parallel algorithm increases as the number of scattered columns assigned to each processor increases, and decreases as communication cost between processors increases.
Development of Engineering Software Within a Generic Application Framework
Authors: FORDE BRUCE W. R. , STIEMER SIEGFRIED F.
Published: August 2010

This paper shows that object‐oriented generic application frameworks can be used to improve the design and implementation of interactive engineering software. Enhanced development time, consistency, transparency, flexibility, and quality are achieved by separating programs into generic and domain‐specific components. Advantages of object‐oriented programming over conventional procedure‐oriented approaches are highlighted for the development of basic interactive software (event‐driven architectures, user‐interface standards, etc.). A language‐independent model is used to provide the implementation details for a generic application framework called “GenApp.” Programs can be constructed on top of this framework by creating specialized object classes that selectively mix inherited generic behavior with application‐specific tasks. Customized user‐interface, object management, and support for existing procedures are some of the features offered by GenApp to simplify the development of engineering software. A finite‐element analysis program is shown as an example product of this generic application framework.
Risk Management in CPM Networks
Authors: RIGGS LELAND S.
Published: August 2010

Network‐scheduling techniques are used extensively to determine a project's duration. Two of the most popular techniques are the critical path method (CPM) and the probabilistic evaluation and review technique (PERT). Only one of these techniques, PERT, includes a capability to evaluate the risk in the duration of a project. But, PERT has some inherent limitations which affect the user's ability to effectively evaluate risk or variability of project duration. Computer simulation is a way to overcome the limitations of CPM and PERT. This paper describes a method to simulate schedule networks using an existing simulation package calledcyclone. The correspondence between a CPM network and acyclonenetwork is developed and an example of simulating a small network is presented. Computer output and recommended improvements are discussed.
Perceptron Learning in Engineering Design
Authors: ADELI H. , YEH C.
Published: August 2010

A model of machine learning in engineering design is presented based on the concept of self‐adjustment of internal control parameters and perceptron. A perceptron is defined as a four‐tuple entity which can answer either “yes” or “no” in the problem domain. The problem of structural design is cast in a form that can be described by a perceptron without hidden units. Some results from our experimentation are presented in tabular form. The paper is concluded by a comparison of perceptron and explanation‐based learning.
An Expert System for Tunnel Design
Authors: ICHIKAWA Y. , AYDAN Ö. , KYOYA T. , OSAKA H. , KAWAMOTO T.
Published: August 2010

In this article, we describe the development of an expert system (ES) for tunnel design and preent some applications of the system. The system has been developed by our research group consisting of 21 people closely involved with the tunnel design under the leadership of Nagoya University. The system consists of four subexpert systems (1) ES for standard tunnel design methods, (2) ES for framed structure method, (3) ES for theoretical design methods, and (4) ES for numerical analysis design method; a common part to control the overall system; and two data base systems (tunnel data base system and rock mass data base system).
A Data Base Management System (DBMS) for Formwork Design Applications
Authors: TAH J. H. M. , PRICE A. D. F.
Published: August 2010

Data base management technology can improve the quality and reduce the cost of temporary works design. This is achieved by allowing the computer to handle the tedium of translating and transmitting data between programs and allowing the designers to concentrate on the quality of the underlying design. This paper lays the foundation for the use of microcomputer data base management technology in temporary works design, using formwork design as the problem base. It concentrates on the development of a data base management system called dBFICADS. It has been used to support the data‐handling requirements of an integrated computer‐aided design system for form‐work Key issues regarding information modeling, DBMS implementation, and the interface between the DBMS and application programs are addressed.
The Automated Underground: Computer‐Aided Design of Boston's Central Artery Project
Authors: BRENNER BRIAN R. , HAWKES MARTIN
Published: August 2010

Computer applications related to under‐ground construction are described as they are being applied to Boston's Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project. The project is currently one of the largest highway projects in the country. Computer applications include a geotechnical boring log management system, spreadsheets for tunnel analysis and design, finite‐element studies of soil‐structure interaction for a construction excavation problem, and software that draws flow nets. Each application is outlined, and problems and future improvements to the methods are discussed.
Aerodynamic Behavior of Long‐Span Cable‐Stayed Bridges
Authors: MACERI FRANCO , BRUNO DOMENICO , LEONARDI ANGELO
Published: August 2010

In this paper, we study the behavior of the aerodynamic fan‐shaped scheme of cable‐stayed bridges under wind load. A numerical analysis is developed, based upon time integration of the motion equations of the discretized structure. The main structural nonlinearity arising from the stress–strain stay's constitutive equation is taken into account together with the nonlinear effects that arise assuming a nonstationary model for aerodynamic loads. A Newmark's type algorithm is used to discuss first the problem of free oscillations in still air, and to determine next the critical wind speeds, both in the case of A‐shaped and of H‐shaped towers. For the latter case, the overall discrete model is validated by comparison with analytical results obtained by a continuous model, already developed [5, 7].

The performance improvement of the structural behavior obtained by using A‐shaped towers is numerically investigated by using the discrete model proposed here.
An Object‐Oriented Model for Processing Earthquake Engineering Knowledge
Authors: ADELI H. , HUNG S. L.
Published: August 2010

Lessons learned from destructive earthquakes are recorded in numerous printed documents. This article presents an object‐oriented model for processing the knowledge of earthquake damage and structural behavior electronically. The model has been implemented in C++ in a prototype system, called OQUAKE, on a SUN workstation. Knowledge representation in OQUAKE is through a combination of frames and scripts. Two general‐purpose object classes provide support for developing and managing frame and script knowledge bases. Frames and scripts integrated into an object‐oriented model provide the most effective way of representing stereotypical sequences of knowledge in a text‐based knowledge domain.
A Microcomputer Model for Flood Prediction with Applications
Authors: Chau K. W. , Lee J. H. W.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: A generally applicable mathematical model, tailored for use on a Personal Computer, as the design tool to simulate unsteady flood flow in a network of interconnected rivers has been developed and applied to the Sham Chun River along the border between Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China. The effect on the improved Sham Chun River due to the proposed river training in the River Indus, one of its tributaries, is evaluated. The one‐dimensional unsteady flow model itself is broadly applicable to a wide range of hydrologic conditions and varying field situations. It incorporates real hydraulic features including branched channels and ‘tidal flats’ flooding and drying. The time history of water stages and discharges are computed at any desired location throughout the connected essentially one‐dimensional channel network subject to initial and boundary conditions. Details are given of techniques adapted in using the computational scheme to quantify the unsteady flow condition and the means to assure an efficient numerical solution as well as to verify the accuracy of the computed outputs by subjection to carefully selected schematic simplified test cases and real prototype cases with numerical solution method is a useful predictive engineering tool in river design.