Microcomputer-based Program Research Articles

Simulation of the construction of cable-stayed bridges

Cable-stayed bridges are ideal for spanning natural barriers of wide rivers, deep valleys, or ravines, and for pedestrian bridges crossing wide interstate highways. Modern construction of cable-stayed bridges makes use of the segmental balanced cantilever techniques and involves many repetitive cycles of placing the concrete segments (both cast-in-place and precast) and supporting cables. It provides a fertile area for the application of computer simulation techniques for the planning and analysis of the process, particularly for studying the interaction of resources used in the construction phase and also for assessing the productivity of the construction processes. This paper employs MicroCYCLONE, a microcomputer-based simulation program, for the modeling and simulation of the construction of two cable-stayed bridges: the Dame Point Bridge in the state of Florida, U.S.A., and the Tsukuhara Bridge in Hyuougo, Japan. The paper will also provide a brief explanation of the suspended long traveler method used on the Tsukuhara Bridge, the simulation models developed to analyze the construction processes, and the results of sensitivity analyses.Key words: simulation, modeling, construction, cable-stayed bridges, resources, productivity, balanced cantilever construction.

Calibration of Transit Operations Planning (TOP) Model and Evaluation of Bus Transit Route Performance in Riyadh

Public transit systems provide mobility for a large percentage of urban residents very cost-effectively and with minimum negative impact on the environment. ln spite of their vital and indispensable services; however , The majority of transit systems worldwide suffer from financial neglect and are forced to rely heavily on government subsidies for survival. In response to the rapidly shrinking funds and subsidy levels transit managements have to focus attention on ways to improve service operations. The management of public transit systems in Saudi Arabia is no exception to this trend. This study is aimed at evaluating the service performance of a sample of regular (fixed-route, fixed schedule) bus transit routes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing a microcomputer-based program, the bus transit service operational measures of fare, headway, vehicle size and routing were analyzed. To account for the socio-economic and cultural differences of transit ridership in Riyadh, time/cost elasticities of demand as well as walk time and bus travel time parameters of the model were calibrated. Evaluation of the impact of changes in service operational measures suggested that no change in operational variables could improve the very low productivity of one of the sample study routes. A cost-reduction strategy which includes the use of smaller vehicles and less-frequent service runs should improve the low productivity of this route. Findings also indicated that a small increase in fare would pay for the total operation and maintenance costs of the other routes. The authors, however, do not recommend an increase in fare for a variety of reasons; the low income level of the captive riderships, the enormous financial resources of the country , and the multi-dimentional role of transit systems in providing urban mobility with minimum negative impacts on the environment.

The Predictive Models and Procedures Used in the Forest Stand Generator (STAG)

The Forest Stand Generator, STAG, is a microcomputer-based program that uses statistical routines to produce a projection set composed of individual tree measurements of diameter at 4.5 feet above ground (called the diameter at breast height or DBH), total height, height-to-crown base, species, and tree expansion factor. When data sets are not complete, STAG can be used to produce a projection set for a wide class of inventory procedures. The authors will discuss the estimation procedures used by STAG to (1) fill in missing measurements of tree height, height-to-crown base, or both; (2) generate stands from summary statistics; and (3) convert stand table data—numbers of trees by DBH classes and species—to individual tree records, so that these projection sets, composed of complete individual tree records, can be analyzed by the California Conifer Timber Output Simulator (CACTOS) for simulation of tree growth and mortality, even though the initial data sets could not have been used with CACTOS. Also discussed are the predictive equations and analytic procedures used to produce a projection set for these three categories of data availability. Recommended uses of STAG and the type of data required for accurate development of projection sets are presented. Research reported here was conducted under UC Agricultural Experiment Station projects 3679-ms and 3815-ms. The authors gratefully acknowledge important contributions to this work by Peter J. Daugherty and Vaughan Landrum. They also are grateful to Lee C. Wensel and the members of the Northern California Forest Yield Cooperative for their support.

Integrating Process Simulation into Construction Engineering Education

SUMMARY The introduction, in the 1970s, of the CYCLONE (YCLic Operation NEt-tuorks) simulation methodology established simulation of construction systems as an active area for teaching and research. Since then, there has been considerable progress in developing sophisticated simulation-based methods for the analysis of construction processes, and in educational approaches to teach these methods that can be easily incorporated within the construction engineering and management curriculum. CYCLONE, and more specifically MicroCYCLONE, a microcomputer-based program based on this simulation methodology, offer a simple graphical system for the analysis, modeling and experimentation of construction operations. The programs can be readily understood by anyone familiar with construction processes-from construction engineering students to engineering and field personnel. This paper discusses the integration of process simulation into construction engineering education, including a brief description of the general c...

QuickPlot: a microcomputer-based program for processing of orientation data : van Everdingen, D A; van Gool, J A M; Vissers, R L M Comput GeosciV18, N2/3, March–April 1992, P183–287

QuickPlot: a microcomputer-based program for processing of orientation data : van Everdingen, D A; van Gool, J A M; Vissers, R L M Comput GeosciV18, N2/3, March–April 1992, P183–287

A microcomputer-based analysis and design of air-supported cylindrical membranes

An approximate, simple, and reliable method of analysis is presented for an air-supported cylindrical membrane structure. Furthermore, to use this method of analysis for design purposes, a brief description of dominant design loads and its formulation as applied to air-supported structures is also given based on design practice and experiments. Incorporating both the method of analysis and the described design loads, a microcomputer-based program, coded in MS Quickbasic, has been developed, which is simple to use and completely user friendly.First, the reliability of the approach is established by comparing it with available published studies on circular cylindrical air-supported structures, based on rigorous modelling and analysis. Then, several illustrative examples are presented for different heights and spans under various loading combinations as per current design practice. Key words: air-supported membrane, cylindrical, finite displacement, microcomputer based, approximate, analysis, design.

Quickplot: A microcomputer-based program for processing of orientation data

QuickPlot is an interactive, MS-DOS based computer program which allows plotting, contouring, rotation, and statistical analysis of orientation data. Output of stereographic equal-area projections, modified Flinn, and triangular fabric diagrams may be saved as PIC-format graphics files, which can be printed readily, plotted, or incorporated into widely used graphics software to edit or combine diagrams.

Microcomputer-based analysis of cardiovascular indices

A microcomputer-based program has been developed which performs rapid and accurate acquisition of cardiovascular data from instrumented animals or isolated perfused hearts with concurrent analysis and display of the hemodynamic indices. The system allows real-time viewing of the data in four alternative graphic displays. These include: (1) a strip-charge type display of all channels; (2) a full screen display of any single channel; (3) display of pressuresegment length; and (4) trend graphs (cumulative change with time) of calculated hemodynamic indices such as heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, percent change in myocardial segment length, mean blood flow and percent change in arterial diameter. Precise analysis of both transient and steady-state events may be performed on any segment of data stored on the hard disk. The data at any point in the experiment may be accessed by cursoring through any trend graph of the derived indices, by recalling special event markers or by using the automatic time markers. The calculated results are printed and stored in ASCII files which can be transferred to spreadsheets, databases, graphics or statistical programs.

Analysis of breath sounds in normal and asthmatic children and adults using computer digitized airway phonopneumography (CDAP)

Analysis of breath sounds using the stethoscope is a major part of physicians evaluation of their patients. However, the use of a stethoscope is often inadequate to give quantitative measurements of the clinical state of the individual. In this study a modification of a previously described computer analysis of breath sounds was used to measure sound intensity levels in both normal and asthmatic children who, in most cases, were unable to perform pulmonary function. The intensity levels were derived using a microcomputer-based program that digitizes audio signals and calculates energy values at 25-ms intervals throughout each signal. There were statistical differences between mean intensity levels for normal breath sounds in children between 2 and 6 years and the mean intensity levels for wheezing sounds in the same age group, as well as wheezing sounds in asthmatic patients over the age of 8 years (P less than 0.002). Also, the mean intensity levels for normal breath sounds could be clearly differentiated from intensity levels for other sounds from the chest, including heart sounds and voice sounds. Thus, computer digitized airway phonopneumography (CDAP) proved to be a reproducible, quantifiable method for demonstrating airway obstruction in those children and patients unable to perform pulmonary function testing.

Effect of diet on struvite activity product in feline urine

SUMMARY Groups of male specific-pathogen-free cats were fed a basal, purified diet (A), with or without 0.45% added magnesium (MgCl2, diet B; MgO, diet C) or 1 of 2 commercial diets (D, E). Urine samples collected for 48 hours after 2 weeks of feeding were analyzed for calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, sulfate, phosphate, oxalate, and citrate content. Concentrations were used to calculate the negative logarithm of the struvite activity product (pSAP), using a microcomputer-based program for calculation of supersaturation of the urine with crystal solutes. The pSAP value for all samples also was hand calculated by use of an equation. Consumption of diet B caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in urine calcium concentration. Total urine phosphate concentration was lower in urine from cats fed diets A, B, or C than in urine from cats fed diets D or E. For the various diets, urine PO4-3 was: 5.3 μM for diet A; 6.3 μM for diet C; 0.9 μM for diet E; 36 nM for diet D, and 0.5 nM for diet B. Consumption of diets B and C caused significant increases in urine magnesium concentration (53.1 nM and 49.1 mM, respectively). Ammonium ion concentration was highest in urine from cats fed diets B and D, 116.2 mM and 100.3 mM, respectively. When the pSAP, hand-calculated assuming ionic strength u = 0.2, was regressed on that calculated by use of the microcomputer program, the coefficient of determination was 0.96 (P ≤ 0.01).

SHRUBKILL: A Decision Support System for Management Burns in Australian Savannas

A microcomputer-based advisory program, ment option for property managers, who have found that SHRUBKILL, has been developed to provide advice on the SHRUBKILL program provides valuable expert advice the use of prescribed fire to control dense shrubs. This on how to control shrubs with fire without having to directprogram is a decision support system (DSS) designed to ly consult a research expert (often not readily available). help managers resolve difficult management decisions in Because of its modular design SHRUBKILL can easily be this example, to decide whether and how to use managemodified for extension to other regions where management ment bums on pastoral properties in the semi-arid savanna bums can be used as an effective control for similar shrub rangelands of northwestern New South Wales and southproblems. western Queensland, Australia. In this region, the use of fire to improve paddocks by controlling dense shrub is an

A Microcomputer-Based Program for the Interpretation and Reporting of Rapid Toxicology Screens

Our laboratory recently published a new method for rapid toxicology screening for both the routine and emergency care of patients. We have also developed a microcomputer- based interpretive reporting program based on a commercially available database management system. Significant features of the program include extemalization of interpretive logic, logical component test sequencing, and the ability to selectively superimpose pathologist intervention. All data concerning any toxicology screen are available for review, including raw delta absorbances, final calculated results, and system parameters in place at the time a screen was performed. These features are typically not available with commercial turnkey laboratory systems. Our current configuration allows for the on-line storage of approximately 12,000 toxicology screens at one time. Additionally, the system is constructed in such a way to allow supervisory and technical personnel to maintain, troubleshoot, and modify the system without the need for programmer intervention.

Studies of the severity and incidence of Paspalum leaf blight

Levels of paspalum leaf blight (Ascochyta paspali) severity (%LAD), diseased dry matter (%DDM) and incidence on tillers and leaves on dairy pastures in northern Victoria assessed during the summer months (November-March) of 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86 and 1986-87 fluctuated between samplings and farms. Infected tissues accounted for 19-22% of the total dry matter in 1983-84 and 1984-85. Disease severity (%LAD) was significantly (P<0.001) linearly related to incidence of infected tillers (IT) or leaves (IL) and highest correlations were obtained following natural logarithmic transformations of severity and incidence data. Incidence of infected tillers on a 1 ha site in Northern Victoria ranged over 7- 19% in 1985-86 when samples were taken along a M-transect and 1.75-30% in 1986-87 when stratified random samples were taken using a microcomputer-based program 'Field Runner'. The latter reduced sampling bias, indicated that the distribution of disease was aggregated and a minimum sample size of 450 tillers was required. The fluctuating incidence levels with time were correlated with sampling intervals following grazing. Incidence of infected tillers on 11 farms in northern Victoria and Finley, N.S.W., in January 1987, ranged from 11.8 to 56.4%. The significance of the severity-incidence relationships, the aggregated distribution of paspalum leaf blight, variation in levels between farms, the effects of grazing on epidemics of paspalum leaf blight and crop loss and the use of 'Field Runner' in disease surveys is discussed.

Microcomputer-aided removable partial denture design: The next evolution

A microcomputer-based program for the design of removable partial dentures has applications in dental education and the clinical practice of dentistry. The program requires a Macintosh computer with a minimum configuration of one megabyte of random access memory and a hard disk drive with a HyperCard program. The instructional design uses an interactive, branching user interface to conduct a search of removable partial design data. The screen design is based on a dental laboratory work authorization, with graphic representations of partially edentulous dental arches and textual information that can be browsed in a nonlinear manner by the user. Approximately 160 removable partial denture designs are provided in the program, as well as the ability to modify the drawings and text to reflect various other clinical situations and to print the work authorization for submission to the dental laboratory.

Microcomputer-aided removable partial denture design

A microcomputer-based program for the design of removable partial dentures is described that has an interactive user interface to conduct a heuristic search of removable partial denture design data and produces computer-generated design graphics. The program is useful educationally and clinically.

Microcomputer-assisted monitoring of medication-dispensing errors

A microcomputer-based program for collecting and monitoring data on medication-dispensing errors made by pharmacy personnel is described, along with the policies and procedures for dealing with the responsible employees. The program was implemented at a 964-bed teaching hospital. When a medication-dispensing error is suspected, the director of pharmacy initiates a medication discrepancy follow-up report form. The appropriate supervisor fully investigates the incident, completes the form, and returns it to the director, who assigns a point value to the error on the basis of whether it injured or had the potential to injure the patient. Information from the report is then entered into an automated file. Data are sorted by the computer, allowing the performances of pharmacy personnel to be monitored. Progressive educational or disciplinary actions are taken depending on the number of points accumulated annually. Responsibility for an error is not assigned unless there is absolutely no question as to its origin, and dispensing-error points are not carried over from year to year. Since the program was implemented more than three years ago, the average number of reported medication-dispensing errors has decreased from 20 to 6 per month. Departmental procedures for monitoring and analyzing dispensing errors and for initiating disciplinary actions against personnel who commit many dispensing errors have been successful in creating greater awareness of the need to prevent such errors and in reducing their number.

A Fishing Vessel Energy Analysis Program

A microcomputer-based program has been developed at the University of British Columbia to help fisherman and naval architects estimate fishing vessel fuel consumption. The program allows users to calculate the fuel consumption for a given fishing trip scenario. The program can then be used to calculate the return on investment of fuel saving improvements made to the vessel such as: Kort nozzle, two speed gearbox, variable-pitch propeller, and new propeller design. The program can be used for the design of small vessels such as tugs and supply vessels.

A microcomputer program for coding external cause of injury.

The publication of Injury in America emphasized a renewed interest in the scientific study of trauma. Collection and analysis of population-based data were viewed as necessary prerequisites for the establishment and evaluation of injury prevention programs. While it was noted that there is an existing broad-based gathering of injury mortality information, it was also made clear that there is a paucity of systematically collected morbidity data. A fundamental step toward correcting this deficiency is to identify and adopt a uniform system for coding causes of injury morbidity that is compatible with the large body of mortality data currently being collected. This paper describes a microcomputer-based program, which is intended to aid in the selection of External Cause of Injury Codes (E-codes). It is designed for coding both fatal and nonfatal injury causes and is appropriate for use in the hospital setting. The system is a modification of the one currently used for coding all injury deaths in the United States.

Traffic Control at Intersection Sites During Reconstruction

Microscopic simulation using an efficient microcomputer‐based program is employed in evaluating alternative control strategies for intersections during construction. The program runs on an IBM PC or compatible, is interactive and menu‐driven, and has extensive graphic capabilities for easy data entry and inspection of results. Either four‐way or T‐intersections can be simulated with either all‐way stop sign control or traffic signal control (both actuated and pretimed). Input to the program, entered interactively, includes the geometric configuration, the number of lanes on each approach, lane‐bylane saturation flow rates, vehicle clearance times, and demands. Phasing arrangement and signal timing are entered when signal control is simulated. Delays, stops, and queue sizes are printed after the simulation is completed. If desired, the user can watch vehicle arrivals and departures, queue formation and dissipation, and traffic signal indication changes as the simulation proceeds.

Microcomputer-based software to perform lease versus buy analysis

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a computerized lease-versus-buy program utilized by the Defense Contract Audit Agency to monitor defense contractor data processing hardware procurement. The main points of the paper shall pertain to the financial elements incorporated into the software, reports generated, and the resulting lease-versus-buy decision. Discussion of the lease-versus-buy process shall relate primarily to the procurement of data processing equipment. The approach taken in the lease-versus-buy decision process for procuring data processing equipment is basically no different from the methodology used in acquiring other types of capital equipment. Hence, the proposed microcomputer-based program used to performed lease-versus-buy analysis for data processing equipment is suitable for industrial equipment procurement, as well.